The Hope

ECAN’s mission is to save lives by alerting those at risk, and those who provide their medical care, that early detection of Esophageal Cancer can result in a much improved chance of survival. Currently, Esophageal Cancer is most often discovered in its late stages, when a tumor has formed that is large enough to interfere with swallowing. Treatment provided at this stage is rarely successful. But when detected at early stages, hope for a cure is on the horizon.

Zapping Cancer Cells

New techniques have been developed to virtually eliminate cancerous cells when they are discovered at early stages of disease. Physicians have had promising results with new technology to remove cancerous and pre-cancerous cells that have not invaded the deep structures of the esophagus. Two types of ablation procedures – cryoablation and radio frequency ablation – are literally zapping the dangerous cells while other procedures shave off the offending cells.. All of these new techniques are producing hopeful outcomes for patients with Barrett’s Esophagus and Stage I Esophageal Cancer.

Growing Body Parts

60 Minutes, CBS
December 12, 2009
Morley Safer reports on the emerging technology of growing body parts from human cells taken directly from patients, including those with esophageal cancer.